United Health Foundation Donates $50,000 to College Scholarships to New Mexico Students

January 31, 2012

2011 scholarship recipients with United Health Foundation members and American Indian College Fund Staff in Washington, D.C.

United Health Foundation has donated $50,000 to the American Indian College Fund to help provide scholarships to nine New Mexico students preparing to pursue careers in health care.

The contribution supports students through The United Health Foundation Tribal Scholars Program, which provides scholarships for American-Indian students who are committed to improving the health of their communities. The donation follows the $50,000 grant United Health Foundation provided in September to American Indian students in Arizona, bringing the total grant in the two states to $100,000.

The United Health Tribal Scholars Program provides $5,000 scholarships to students studying in public universities or tribal colleges in Arizona or New Mexico. To qualify, students need a 3.0 GPA, to major in a health-related field, and have an interest in working in underserved communities.

Of the nine New Mexico students receiving the scholarship, five attend Navajo Technical College: Rodgers Arthur, Sheraylaynn Hosteen, Johanna Henderson, D’Ayn DeGroat, and Daisy Whitehair. The other recipients, Sheridan Cowboy, Lesley Eldridge, Jason Shirley and Justine Correa, are studying at the University of New Mexico.

“Research shows that when patients receive care from those who share their language, culture and ethnicity, they are more likely to accept and follow medical direction,” said Kate Rubin, president, United Health Foundation. “United Health Foundation is committed to developing tomorrow’s health care workforce and ensuring that diverse communities have access to quality, culturally relevant care. By partnering with the American Indian College Fund, we are encouraging Native American students to continue their education and become health care professionals who will help expand and enhance health care services, particularly in underserved communities.”

“Thanks to United Health Foundation, more Native students who are committed to improving the health of their communities are able to continue their education,” said Richard B. Williams, president and CEO, the American Indian College Fund. “Native communities experience disproportionate inequities with regard to health, and due to this additional gift, even more students will be able to provide quality health care for the well-being of their communities.”

About United Health Foundation
Guided by a passion to help people live healthier lives, United Health Foundation provides helpful information to support decisions that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities. The Foundation also supports activities that expand access to quality health care services for those in challenging circumstances and partners with others to improve the well-being of communities. Since established by UnitedHealth Group [NYSE: UNH] in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation, the Foundation has committed more than $176 million to improve health and health care. For more information, visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.